Amir Khan’s world title contest against the incumbent champion, Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik, has been postponed for three weeks yesterday and switched from London’s 02 Arena on June 27 to Manchester’s MEN Arena on July 18. Kotelnik has a mouth infection which had halted his training programme. It will be easier, too, to sell out for a Khan fight in Manchester with the younmg Boltonian enjoying huge support around Manchester.
It follows a month of high level cancellations in boxing. Ruslan Chagaev failed his medical in Helsinki against Nikolai Valuev in a World Boxing Association heavyweight clash; Londoner David Haye pulled out of his contest next weekend with Wladimir Klitschko due to a back injury, and last weekend, Floyd Mayweather withdrew from facing Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas on July 18 with a rib injury sustained in training.
Khan, 22, in training in Hollywood, California at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym, said he felt the postponement of the fight was “a pain”. That’s boxing, and in recent weeks, has been a blight on the sport, and also an indication that main events can be so easily affected.
Khan admitted: “In boxing these things happen so I have to be professional and stay focussed. Freddie Roach is adjusting my training accordingly so that I’m ready for the new date and I’m at my peak both physically and mentally.”
Promoter Frank Warren said keeping the 02 Arena for July 18 had been impossible because of a popular music concert there that night. “Kotelnik has suffered an unfortunate injury and the added infection has scuppered his chances of fighting on June 27. The added problems caused by the Michael Jackson concerts [at the 02 Arena] has made it impossible to stay at the O2 but I am thankful to the MEN Arena for saving the day. I’m sure the atmosphere in there will be as good, if not better. This is a good fight for the fans and a great fight for Amir Khan to step up to the next level and become world champion.”
There is no doubt this is a great fight for Khan. Kotelnil is a schooled professional, a methodical fighter, but Khan has speed to spare. If he fights to the plan, and does not get caught napping, the first stage of his evolution into a fighter capable of battling at world level will have been acheived.
